Cassette tapes are making a quiet comeback — and no, it's not just about retro vibes or collecting rare mixtapes from the ‘80s. Over the past decade, cassette sales have climbed by more than 400%. That might sound like a huge number (and it is), but keep in mind the format was almost extinct for a while.
One of the companies helping bring it back is the French brand We Are Rewind, which first caught attention with the WE-001, a modern cassette player with Bluetooth and rechargeable batteries. Now, they’re scaling up with their latest creation — the GB-001, a full-blown boombox built for both tape lovers and Bluetooth streamers.
At first glance, the GB-001 could easily be mistaken for a vintage boombox from 1983. It’s got the matte black finish, a chunky folding handle, and a pair of glowing analog VU meters that dance along with your music. But once you take a closer look, you’ll notice the upgrades. This thing is loaded with modern tech, starting with Bluetooth 5.4, so you can stream music straight from your phone, tablet, or laptop. Prefer a wired setup? There’s also a 3.5mm AUX input for connecting older gear like turntables or even a MiniDisc player if you're feeling really nostalgic.
What sets the GB-001 apart from typical Bluetooth speakers is the fact that it actually plays cassette tapes. You can throw in a Type I or Type II (Chrome) cassette, hit play, and hear your music just like it was meant to be heard in 1989. But it goes beyond playback — you can also record your own tapes.
There's a user-adjustable motor to help fine-tune playback speed, plus internal speed regulation to keep things consistent. A built-in AC erase head wipes old recordings clean, and a noise reduction circuit emulates Dolby B so that playback sounds cleaner and less hissy.
This isn’t just a novelty item. The GB-001 has some real power behind it. Inside are two woofers and two soft-dome tweeters, with a combined 104 watts of output — that’s 32 watts to each woofer and 20 watts to each tweeter. So whether you’re playing a tape or streaming from Spotify, you’ll get a wide, stereo sound with solid bass and clear highs.
There’s also a spatialization feature that helps create a more immersive listening experience, and dynamic power control that helps reduce distortion when things get loud.
One of the most surprising features of the GB-001 is how versatile it is. There’s a microphone input with adjustable levels, so you can record live audio, make your own mixtape intros, or plug in a guitar and use it as a mini amp. There’s even support for wireless microphones, in case you feel like hosting an impromptu karaoke night or reenacting a classic ‘80s rap battle.
Battery life is solid, too. You’ll get up to 10 hours of playtime when using cassette mode and up to 15 hours when using the AUX input. If you’re listening through headphones, those numbers go even higher — up to 28 hours, depending on the source. The 3,000mAh battery is also user-replaceable, which is nice if you're thinking long-term use.
As for the build, it’s sturdy and stylish without trying too hard. The design is toned-down with some subtle color accents, and while only one color is available now, there may be more finishes in the future.
The GB-001 definitely isn’t for everyone, but that’s kind of the point. It’s for people who love the ritual of making mixtapes, who still have a box of cassettes in the closet, or who want something a little different from the usual Bluetooth speaker options. Whether you’re in it for nostalgia, curiosity, or just looking for a unique piece of gear that blends analog and digital, the GB-001 makes a strong case for the cassette comeback.
It may not bring boomboxes back to the mainstream, but it’s a reminder that old formats don’t have to stay in the past, especially when they’ve been reworked to fit the present.
The GB-001 is priced at €449 (about $500) and is available directly from We Are Rewind. Preorders are open, with shipments expected to roll out sometime this summer.
